*This is the one-hundred and forty-seventh post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Inventors Brewpub
435 N Lake St Port
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-4690
Visit date: 05/24/2019
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
9 of their own on tap, usually 10-12.
2) How long operational?
Since August 2017.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Wisconsin native with an engineering degree dove into brewing education and brewed in Colorado.
4) Distribution?
Currently a 1 barrel brewhouse, so beer is only available in the taproom and at some festivals. They are currently shopping for a larger system.
5) What sets you apart?
The American Legion is still the landlord, and they host meetings weekly; the brewpub often does fundraisers for them. On top of that, the owner (Adam) has quite the “Inventive brewing mind.”
6) How did you get your name?
“Adam can build anything himself.” Inventor mindset is evident in the brewery decor and each beer.
Inventors Brewpub in Port Washington, WI. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
True story: when I was a kid, all the way through to my Mechanical Engineering degree, I wanted to be an inventor. My first job as a design engineer made me realize that my passion was more in the personal inventing than the professional. Adam Draeger, founder and brewer at Inventors Brewpub in Port Washington, has deftly merged both the personal and professional inventing strategy into one successful passion project.
What’s more, Adam was able to build his own brewery (after educations at Platteville, Siebel Institute in Chicago, and Doemans Academy in Munich) while helping keep the local American Legion Post 82 operating in their long-time home just across from Lake Michigan.
The flight holders were laser-cut planes made by owner Adam.
Pink Peppercorn Saison
Dry; a lip-smacker. Barely a hint of pink-lemonade along with a subtle but unmistakable pepper linger.
7 Hills Pale Ale
Also dry, almost tart. Evergreen, cranberry, and a mild saltiness all come through.
Adamtinus Weizenbock
Juicy. A tad spicy, like pepper sprinkled on an overripe apple.
Reverend Reaper Brown Ale
It’s got the pub-style Brown down, but with a Scotch presence that livens things up.
As manager Taylor Olson told us, “(Brewer Adam has an) inventive mind. It speaks in his beers, what he puts together, and the way he does it.” Not only the beer, but the fantastic food options, all are made with fresh ingredients.
You can spend time in the cozy little bar/taproom, or rub shoulders with the local crowd in the great hall. Many of the furnishings were hand-made by Adam or others, from the chandeliers down to the light bulb salt and pepper shakers.
It’s all a testament to the inventive mind of Adam: finding a way to brew quality beer, cook up complementary nosh, and do it all while supporting and honoring local veterans and their families. There was no better way to start our Memorial Day weekend than a stop at Inventors Brewpub.
